Browns Biggest Draft Needs, Post Free Agency

[The Gipper]

What are the Brown biggest  Draft needs now that they have made a lot of moves in Free Agency to shore up some positions?   I got the following:

A.  Left Tackle.  Most of what I have seen says that Conklin is slated for the RT spot.   Right now we have Justin McCray, a 3rd year Undrafted FA at that spot.  I have heard no one say much about him, which leads me to believe their is not a ton of confidence in him...at least not on here.  Not sure about the Browns FO and coaches. 

B. Linebacker.  Our current starting LBs are  Mack Wilson, Takitaki, and/or  Willie Harvey...and this JB Goodson?   and like nothing behind them to speak of.  

C. Defensive backfield.   In much better shape with the two new acquisitions,  but another guy wouldn't hurt. Could Randall be resigned?  I doubt it. 

D. Edge Rusher.   Vernon still a question mark in my mind.  

E.  Backup WR.  Landry/Beckham in place,  and Higgins situation up in the air.  Not that much faith in Hodge/Ratley/Tywan Taylor?  This is supposed to be a strong WR draft. 

Anything else?   Maybe a kick return specialist?  I know they signed my boy from Akron U....but competition can't hurt.   Later rounder?  

[ATOM]

rg or are in  the hubbard camp on that one

[The Gipper]

4 minutes ago, ATOM said:

rg or are in  the hubbard camp on that one

Or,  some are in the Drew Forbes camp on that one.    Both are somewhat question marks.....so RG could be a spot to use a pick on. 

[SdBacker80]

Should be pretty straightforward 

1. LT.   2. Safety 3. Pass Rusher.  3. A Joe Show clone.  4. Interior Line Depth on both sides  C/G, DT.

 

[gumby73]

3 hours ago, SdBacker80 said:

Should be pretty straightforward 

1. LT.   2. Safety 3. Pass Rusher.  3. A Joe Show clone.  4. Interior Line Depth on both sides  C/G, DT.

 

this ^^ & a open bar if and when we don't..      straightforward...let browns fans internet poll the pick in round 7 just before Mr Irrelevant..Can't go as wrong as many..     

[darren15]

If we can get Griffen on a 1 year 7m deal it would allow us to cut Vernon and his 15m salary which would leave a surplus of 8m to use elsewhere ...... Alex Ogletree ?

[Tour2ma]

6 hours ago, SdBacker80 said:

Should be pretty straightforward 

1. LT.   2. Safety 3. Pass Rusher.  3. A Joe Show clone.  4. Interior Line Depth on both sides  C/G, DT.

There's "in theory"... and then there's "in practice".

Love to see your mock... cause you seem to have some football smarts, but based on what I've seen there's a lot of quality available to make your Rounds 1 and 2 go the way you scripted them, but I think Round 3 is uncooperative.

Here's what I am seeing:

• This a bad draft for 4-3 Edge rushers. All of those I've looked at as Day 2 candidates come with "Slow out of the blocks" or similar assessment attached.
• And while the LB class is better... all the quality will be gone by the end of Round 2. Main name I see with a chance of falling to Round 3 is problem child, Willie Gay, Jr., who is going to get red-flagged by a bunch of teams.
• Conversely two of the deepest positions in this draft are OT and Safety. While OT is top heavy, but rapidly thins beyond Round 2, Safety value is really amassed in Day 2 with some spillover into Day 3.

Edit: gumby... feel free to chime in as well...

[gumby73]

I got nothing on a draft edge-rusher.. note why Vernon is still here & might be best we'll see...but still don't mean we won't use his pay to pay another one with a cleaner bill of health via FA options.. (Just started watching Darrell Taylor at Tenn.(#7 DE on some position boards. am liking what am seeing, stock up^ also, a injury recovery Julian Okwara ND, still may slip)

We can only hope one of a average DE or better drafting high LB class may slide to day 2, but we better find a trade up partner to go up from pick 41..so, at what price ya willing to pay and for small list of whom? 

more than half the teams have a prime/secondary draft need of OL and S.. FA OL signings seem higher, so most good are gone, but Trent & Peters dreaming of a gm panic paydays.. what's left is a lot of FA Safeties as a option. Most may sit till a good class of safety's get drafted..

am not willing to guess on what BB&T (Brainy Berry's Team) might be banking on next...but i do hope they continue to let Woods & Callahan & others voices to be heard as a opinion

[gumby73]

On 3/22/2020 at 8:49 PM, Tour2ma said:

Here's what I am seeing:

• And while the LB class is better... all the quality will be gone by the end of Round 2. Main name I see with a chance of falling to Round 3 is problem child, Willie Gay, Jr., who is going to get red-flagged by a bunch of teams.

Might be the time for Berry to try a trade with the Bills for a LB? They just added Mario Addison, AJ Klien & now former steeler Tyler Matakevich to now roster 9 LBers.. Bills LB Matt Milano will come off his rookie deal in 2021 as a 5th round pick .. Milano shows a 2019 Pff player grade of 65.4 with 101 tackles last season..112 ST snaps... Sure it takes two to make a deal. But Bills might need a CB-Edge-RB-TE or WR...do we know of any trade-able? they talked to Higgins who walked.. Don't see Hunt with Singletary there.. We could toss a 3rd?... or Njoku? 🤔  

[The Gipper]

4 minutes ago, gumby73 said:

Might be the time for Berry to try a trade with the Bills for a LB? They just added Mario Addison, AJ Klien & now former steeler Tyler Matakevich to now roster 9 LBers.. Bills LB Matt Milano will come off his rookie deal in 2021 as a 5th round pick .. Milano shows a 2019 Pff player grade of 65.4 with 101 tackles last season..112 ST snaps... Sure it takes two to make a deal. But Bills might need a CB-Edge-RB-TE or WR...do we know of any trade-able? they talked to Higgins who walked.. Don't see Hunt with Singletary there.. We could toss a 3rd?... or Njoku? 🤔  

I picked an OT for the Browns in round 1 of our Browns Board draft.   

Who might you say Browns/me for my pick  should think about at LB in Round 2?  With like the #42 pick.   I am just starting to look at it for when I get back on the clock with the Browns......What would be your thoughts? 

[SdBacker80]

On 3/22/2020 at 5:49 PM, Tour2ma said:

There's "in theory"... and then there's "in practice".

Love to see your mock... cause you seem to have some football smarts, but based on what I've seen there's a lot of quality available to make your Rounds 1 and 2 go the way you scripted them, but I think Round 3 is uncooperative.

Here's what I am seeing:

• This a bad draft for 4-3 Edge rushers. All of those I've looked at as Day 2 candidates come with "Slow out of the blocks" or similar assessment attached.
• And while the LB class is better... all the quality will be gone by the end of Round 2. Main name I see with a chance of falling to Round 3 is problem child, Willie Gay, Jr., who is going to get red-flagged by a bunch of teams.
• Conversely two of the deepest positions in this draft are OT and Safety. While OT is top heavy, but rapidly thins beyond Round 2, Safety value is really amassed in Day 2 with some spillover into Day 3.

Edit: gumby... feel free to chime in as well...

Thanks man!

I think I know what we need.  I watched more CFB than I ever have.  But I was just not into the Combine this year and some of the post season Sr. Bowl and other all star games.  Next few weeks I’ll dive into it a little more.

I got my first round bust- Austin Jackson T USC I think he’s going to struggle with speed at the next level.  
 

Steal...I watched A lot of Wisconsin and Zack Baun initially thought Probably a 2nd 3rd round guy will just test okay but will be Pro Bowler at the next level and now experts are pushing him into Day 1. 
 

Of course I follow OSU a lot and I think Austin Mack WR is a 6th 7th round guy probably a great 3rd WR type on a lot of rosters. 

[The Gipper]

2 minutes ago, SdBacker80 said:

Thanks man!

I think I know what we need.  I watched more CFB than I ever have.  But I was just not into the Combine this year and some of the post season Sr. Bowl and other all star games.  Next few weeks I’ll dive into it a little more.

I got my first round bust- Austin Jackson T USC I think he’s going to struggle with speed at the next level.  
 

Steal...I watched A lot of Wisconsin and Zack Baun initially thought Probably a 2nd 3rd round guy will just test okay but will be Pro Bowler at the next level and now experts are pushing him into Day 1. 
 

Of course I follow OSU a lot and I think Austin Mack WR is a 6th 7th round guy probably a great 3rd WR type on a lot of rosters. 

Do you know that you are on the clock with the draft? 

[Tour2ma]

1 hour ago, SdBacker80 said:

Thanks man!

I think I know what we need.  I watched more CFB than I ever have.  But I was just not into the Combine this year and some of the post season Sr. Bowl and other all star games.  Next few weeks I’ll dive into it a little more.

I got my first round bust- Austin Jackson T USC I think he’s going to struggle with speed at the next level.  
 

Steal...I watched A lot of Wisconsin and Zack Baun initially thought Probably a 2nd 3rd round guy will just test okay but will be Pro Bowler at the next level and now experts are pushing him into Day 1. 
 

Of course I follow OSU a lot and I think Austin Mack WR is a 6th 7th round guy probably a great 3rd WR type on a lot of rosters. 

You're welcome... No argument on the needs you've ID'd... just pointing out that need order can't set draft order.

On players...

• Agree on Jackson... I think he has OK potential, but not worth a Day 1. Bigger bust potential in my book is Wirfs at least at OT (sorry, Gip). Chance he may work out inside ala Scherff.
• Baun is right on the Round 1-2 cusp and has been for a while. He can stand up at OLB on early downs and then pass rush in dime packages for sure. Problem is our pick s aren't near the cusp.

Have fun....

[The Gipper]

7 minutes ago, Tour2ma said:

You're welcome... No argument on the needs you've ID'd... just pointing out that need order can't set draft order.

On players...

• Agree on Jackson... I think he has OK potential, but not worth a Day 1. Bigger bust potential in my book is Wirfs at least at OT (sorry, Gip). Chance he may work out inside ala Scherff.
•  
• Experts disagree with you. I had considered Becton, but I just thought he had more bust potential, being so huge and all, and they rated Wirfs higher. I also thought that Iowa OL seem to have a good record. 
•  

 

[Tour2ma]

3 minutes ago, The Gipper said:

Experts disagree with you. I had considered Becton, but I just thought he had more bust potential, being so huge and all, and they rated Wirfs higher. I also thought that Iowa OL seem to have a good record. 

I'm well aware that many do... maybe even most.

One of the hazards of doing your own work... forming your own opinions.

[calfoxwc]

When I did my mock, well before the combine - I knew I'd be disagreed with. lol

I disagreed with myself, often, in studying each pick at length, then trying to figure who would

be there, and who would be gone, etc etc etc.

    Then there is the "can I get about as good a player later?" question.

My biggest struggle was the 2nd round - it was tempting to take a wr - that class is deep, and first round quality

will surely be there. But I ended up wishing Simmons would fall to ten in the first round, but couldn't make it make sense.

So, I looked at some of the top big safety/lb hybrids - and I ended up with Dugger in the second round.

I admit I never even looked at Tiam's Jeremy Chinn - who really is right up there in "special player" status.

   SD, I'd love to see your mock. It's complicated to do one. Even the "experts" on TV get all the picks wrong often.

[TexasAg1969]

9 hours ago, The Gipper said:

I picked an OT for the Browns in round 1 of our Browns Board draft.   

Who might you say Browns/me for my pick  should think about at LB in Round 2?  With like the #42 pick.   I am just starting to look at it for when I get back on the clock with the Browns......What would be your thoughts? 

I'd have taken Thomas from Georgia. Time will tell if one shows better than the other. But when flipping a coin I go with NFL, Jr.-the SEC. They consistently lead all leagues overall at draft time. And he has tons of experience blocking for good Georgia backs.

[Tour2ma]

Initially I was in Wills camp... then I did more work on Thomas. He became my #1 OT in this draft... and among the consensus top 4 it wasn't a tough decision, but Wills was still an option at #10... the only other option.

Then I saw Jones... and now this consensus #5 OT is my 1b to Thomas' 1a.

Sometimes you have to plow your own field.

8 hours ago, calfoxwc said:

When I did my mock, well before the combine - I knew I'd be disagreed with. lol

I disagreed with myself, often, in studying each pick at length, then trying to figure who would be there, and who would be gone, etc etc etc.

Then there is the "can I get about as good a player later?" question.

My biggest struggle was the 2nd round - it was tempting to take a wr - that class is deep, and first round quality will surely be there. But I ended up wishing Simmons would fall to ten in the first round, but couldn't make it make sense.

So, I looked at some of the top big safety/lb hybrids - and I ended up with Dugger in the second round. I admit I never even looked at Tiam's Jeremy Chinn - who really is right up there in "special player" status.

SD, I'd love to see your mock. It's complicated to do one. Even the "experts" on TV get all the picks wrong often.

And you were on Dugger before I was... tia, found Chin... that's how it works around here.

It's like a pot luck dinner... and just like a pot luck sometimes we like what other folk bring... and sometimes not so much.

 

I'm trying to remember who I "brought to the table" this year. Gordon (QB) was five or so months ago around mid-season.

Can't take credit for Muti.... that was PFF. Fairly shallow dives, but Lemieux (OG, Oregon) and Peart (OT, UConn) qualify. My deepest dive this season has to be Benito Jones (DT, Ole Miss), but his disappointing Combine ended up not aligning with what I thought I saw on tape. However, even in Benito's case he rose on some lists I follow... all the way from a late 7th rounder to a late 6th... lol...

Oh well... any validation in a storm.

[The Gipper]

2 hours ago, TexasAg1969 said:

I'd have taken Thomas from Georgia. Time will tell if one shows better than the other. But when flipping a coin I go with NFL, Jr.-the SEC. They consistently lead all leagues overall at draft time. And he has tons of experience blocking for good Georgia backs.

Well, when I flip a coin it goes for the Big Ten....especially when it come to offensive linemen as it has produced more quality OL/OTs than any other:   Joe Thomas, Orlando Pace and many others.

[TexasAg1969]

38 minutes ago, The Gipper said:

Well, when I flip a coin it goes for the Big Ten....especially when it come to offensive linemen as it has produced more quality OL/OTs than any other:   Joe Thomas, Orlando Pace and many others.

True, but we have a Georgia RB who knows how their OTs block already.👍

[The Gipper]

35 minutes ago, TexasAg1969 said:

True, but we have a Georgia RB who knows how their OTs block already.👍

Or, maybe we should look for a MAC  lineman, since we have a Toledo RB. 

[Tour2ma]

Or get a new coin...

[The Gipper]

For What its worth,  here is the Browns depth chart on Offense:

WR	80	Landry, Jarvis T/Mia	12	Hodge, KhaDarel W/LAR	18	Ratley, Damion 18/6	15	Montgomery, DJ CF19
RWR	13	Beckham Jr., Odell T/NYG	10	Taylor, Taywan T/Ten	16	Moore, J'Mon SF19	00	Natson, JoJo SF20	81	Higgins, Rashard 16/5
LT									78	Robinson, Greg SF18
LG	75	Bitonio, Joel 14/2	79	Forbes, Drew 19/6	71	Gossett, Colby SF19
C	64	Tretter, JC U/GB
RG	77	Teller, Wyatt T/Buf	62	Pridgeon, Malcolm CF19	66	Wright, Willie CF19
RT	00	Conklin, Jack U/Ten	74	Hubbard, Chris U/Pit	70	Lamm, Kendall U/Hou
TE	85	Njoku, David 17/1	86	Brown, Pharaoh SF18	89	Carlson, Stephen CF19
TE	00	Hooper, Austin U/Atl	83	Seals-Jones, Ricky W/Arz
QB	6	Mayfield, Baker 18/1	00	KEENUM, CASE U/Was	3	Gilbert, Garrett SF19			5	STANTON, DREW U/Arz
RB	24	Chubb, Nick 18/2	25	Hilliard, Dontrell CF18	00	Stanton, Johnny SF20
RB	27	Hunt, Kareem SF19	30	Johnson, D'Ernest SF19

 

Notice that not a single person is in there at Left Tackle.  I think that shows the draft priority. 

I chose Tristan Wirfs in our board draft,  but there are like 4 different candidates:     Wirfs, Becton, Thomas,  Wills.

Who would actually, really be best for the Browns...in your opinions?  

[calfoxwc]

1 hour ago, The Gipper said:

Notice that not a single person is in there at Left Tackle.  I think that shows the draft priority. 

I chose Tristan Wirfs in our board draft,  but there are like 4 different candidates:     Wirfs, Becton, Thomas,  Wills.

Who would actually, really be best for the Browns...in your opinions?

Wills, but he should be gone. He's always? been a RT, but he could play left. I think Thomas, who has played both L and R, is #2.

both will be gone, I think.

Then...I'm still looking at Jones to be at LT. I can't see Wirfs at LT vs speed rushers. I actually think Jones is the #3 tackle in the draft.

I believe Wirfs will move inside to OG, and be a star. And Becton, I just don't know if he's a LT or ... but he is amazing.

[TexasAg1969]

5 hours ago, calfoxwc said:

Wills, but he should be gone. He's always? been a RT, but he could play left. I think Thomas, who has played both L and R, is #2.

both will be gone, I think.

Then...I'm still looking at Jones to be at LT. I can't see Wirfs at LT vs speed rushers. I actually think Jones is the #3 tackle in the draft.

I believe Wirfs will move inside to OG, and be a star. And Becton, I just don't know if he's a LT or ... but he is amazing.

I think there is a better than even chance Thomas or Beckton will still be there. I'm not a Wirfs fan for LT for the same reason you point out. Whomever it is I am glad we have a backup plan in Conklin if the rookie is just overwhelmed in the NFL at LT.

[Tour2ma]

• 1a. Thomas at #10
• 1b. Jones possibly as low as #20.
• 2. Peart (RT) in Round 2... Conklin to LT.

Reminder that if you take Wills then you now have two RTs to compete for LT. Doesn't concern me as I think Conklin flips easily, but then you've drafted a RT in round one... and that is something I can't do.

 

[Tour2ma]

Posted elsewhere... seems even more appropriate here.

Totals:

• Becton - 3
• Jones - 0
• Thomas - 5
• Wills - 1
• Wirfs - 0

20 minutes ago, Tour2ma said:

Mock Draft Roundup: How did Browns' free agent signings affect picks by Mel Kiper Jr., other analysts

Andrew Gribble

In less than a week, rosters around the NFL have changed in dramatic fashion. The Browns, of course, are no different thanks to the addition of six new players (and counting).

All the moving and shaking around the league has caused some major changes in the projections analysts are making in their latest mock drafts. We're here for you to track just how much those predictions have changed when it comes to what the Browns are going to do with the No. 10 pick.

Mel Kiper Jr. - ESPN.com: OT Mekhi Becton (Louisville)

Of Note: Kiper says he likes the addition of RT Jack Conklin but stresses the Browns still have a glaring need at LT.

Charley Casserly - NFL.com: OT Andrew Thomas (Georgia)

Of Note: Casserly has Thomas sandwiched between Clemson LB Isaiah Simmons and Alabama LT Jedrick Wills Jr.

Ryan Wilson - CBSSports.com: Thomas

Of Note: Thomas would be the fourth LT selected in the top 10 in Wilson's mock.

R.J. White - CBSSports.com: Thomas

Of Note: White's the third in this group to see the Browns taking Thomas over Wills.

Walter Cherepinsky - WalterFootball.com: Becton

Of Note: The Browns would be picking Becton over Thomas in this scenario.

Jordan Reid - The Draft Network: Thomas

Of Note: Reid writes he doesn't think a team has fared better in free agency than the Browns.

Doug Farrar - Touchdown Wire: Becton

Of Note: Farrar writes the combination of Becton and Conklin at the tackle positions "would be a massive upgrade over what the Browns presented last season."

Josh Norris - RotoWorld: Thomas

Of Note: The Browns would be making Thomas the third tackle selected in the draft behind Becton and Tristan Wirfs.

Ryan Phillips - The Big Lead: Jedrick Wills Jr. (Alabama)

Of Note: The Browns would be picking Wills over Thomas in this projection.

 

[TexasAg1969]

7 CBS pickers: 4 Thomas and one each Becton, Wills and Wirfs.

https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/mock-draft/

[Tour2ma]

Some of which is based upon who they think will be there at 10 for us...

... but having looked at them all I have to scratch my head... especially with Becton.

[The Gipper]

52 minutes ago, Tour2ma said:

Some of which is based upon who they think will be there at 10 for us...

... but having looked at them all I have to scratch my head... especially with Becton.

By that do you mean that you don't think any of them as a group are worthy of the #10 pick?  

Wonder if we could do well waiting to round 2....to pick 42.    A guy like Austin Jackson USC?